Whiteshell Provincial
Park (2,721 square kilometers) is most Manitobans
first view of the spectacular Canadian Shield. With
its abundant lakes, rivers, forested areas and wildlife,
it continues to be a celebrated part of our natural
heritage. However, unknown to most Manitobans, 47%
of this beautiful park is available for clearcut
logging. Currently, clearcutting is taking place
under the direction of the Manitoba provincial government.
In June 2007 after months of asking the provincial
government to release logging information for Whiteshell,
the Wilderness Committee published the Whiteshell
Provincial Park Logging Clearcut and Forest Cover
map to allow Manitobans to see the location and
scale of logging operations within the park.
According to Fred Meier, assistant deputy minister
of programs for Manitoba Conservation, the government
's excuse and reasoning behind continuing logging
in Whiteshell Provincial Park is that stopping “would
have an immediate impact on the jobs and livelihoods
of people who live and work in the area.”
This quote is consistent with decisions about protecting
our natural areas—short-term jobs are more
important than the long-term effect on our environment. |
